The southern Japanese city of Nagasaki commemorated the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing that killed tens of thousands in 1945 and left survivors urging the world to ensure their city remains the last to ever experience such devastation.
Memorial Ceremony Draws Global Participation
On Saturday, about 2,600 people, including representatives from over 90 countries, gathered at Nagasaki Peace Park to honor the victims. The event featured speeches by Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki, whose parents survived the bombing, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. At 11:02 a.m.—the exact time the plutonium bomb detonated above Nagasaki—participants observed a moment of silence marked by a bell toll.
Mayor Suzuki stated, “We should pass down the city’s memories of the bombing for generations as a common heritage.” He added, “The existential crisis of humanity has become imminent to each and every one of us living on Earth. In order to make Nagasaki the last atomic bombing site now and forever, we will go hand-in-hand with global citizens and devote our utmost efforts toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of everlasting world peace.”
Following the speeches, dozens of doves were released as a symbol of peace.
Survivors’ Voices and Prayers for Nuclear Abolition
Survivors and their families gathered at Peace Park and Hypocenter Park, the latter located directly beneath the bomb’s detonation point. Despite rainy weather, many laid flowers and prayed for a future without war.
Koichi Kawano, an 85-year-old survivor, expressed a simple but powerful wish: “I simply seek a world without war.” Others visited local churches, including Nagasaki’s Urakami Cathedral, a historically significant site destroyed in the bombing. The twin bells at the cathedral rang once again after one of the bells, lost since 1945, was restored by volunteers.
Passing the Legacy to Younger Generations
With survivors ageing, many are focusing on educating youth to carry forward the message of peace and nuclear disarmament.
Fumi Takeshita, 83, a survivor who shares her experience with schoolchildren, stated, “There are only two things I long for: the abolition of nuclear weapons and prohibition of war. I only see a world where nuclear weapons are never used and everyone can live in peace.” She encourages students to think about their role in preventing future conflicts.
Teruko Yokoyama, 83, a member of a survivor support group, emphasised the urgency of preserving survivor testimonies. “We must keep records of the atomic bombing damages of the survivors and their lifetime story,” she said, noting the decline in survivor numbers and fading memories. Yokoyama’s organization is digitizing survivor narratives for social media to reach younger audiences.
Concerns Over Global Nuclear Tensions
Survivors voiced frustration over the current global nuclear landscape, particularly Japan’s security reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. They criticise the Japanese government’s refusal to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, citing strategic alliances and deterrence needs.
Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated Japan’s commitment to a nuclear-free world during his speech and pledged to foster dialogue among nuclear and non-nuclear states at the upcoming Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in 2026. However, he did not mention the nuclear ban treaty.
Nagasaki invited global representatives to the ceremony, although China declined attendance without explanation. The event last year sparked controversy when Western diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador, boycotted in response to Nagasaki’s refusal to invite Israel.
Historical Context
On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb over Nagasaki. This marked the second use of nuclear weapons in warfare just three days after the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6. The Nagasaki bomb, nicknamed “Fat Man,” was a plutonium-based device detonated approximately 1,650 feet above the city. The explosion instantly killed an estimated 40,000 people, with the death toll rising to around 70,000 by the end of the year due to injuries and radiation-related illnesses.
The bombing occurred during the final days of World War II, as Japan faced increasing military defeat. The U.S. decided to use atomic bombs to force a swift Japanese surrender and avoid a prolonged invasion of the Japanese mainland, which was expected to cause massive casualties on both sides. The attack followed this decision.
They chose Nagasaki as a target because of its industrial significance. It included shipyards and arms factories that supported Japan’s war effort.The bomb devastated much of the city’s Urakami district, which was home to a large Catholic community and the now-destroyed Urakami Cathedral.
Japan announced its surrender six days later, on August 15, 1945, officially ending World War II. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only instances of nuclear weapons used in war. It has since shaped international discourse on nuclear disarmament, ethics, and global security.
